An occlusion is essentially a blockage in the coronary artery which can have many, sudden, bad effects on the body. The coronary artery is one of the two product of a splitting aorta into two blood vessels. The coronary artery mainly supplies an oxygen-rich supply of blood to the right side of the heart.
Occlusions may occur due to a build up of plaque, rich in cholesterol. These however, can be further aggravated by the formation of a blood clot on the plaque, a coronary thrombosis. Occlusions can also, less commonly occur due to a temporary spasm in the muscles i the artery wall or from a result of inflammation in the coronary artery wall.
As the occlusion occurs the blood flow lessens and this can cause the heart to work harder. The death of muscular tissue can also occur. As the heart tries to work harder to speed up the supply of oxygen carried in the blood it becomes sufficient and the patient will experience angina.
There are risk factors for an occlusion which can include age. As people grow older they are more likely to develop this condition and in certain families there is an inherited increase risk of developing the condition at an earlier age. Another factor is diet in which overweight people who don't do regular exercise are more likely to develop this condition due to their eating habits. HDL (High density lipoprotein) is also associated with an increased risk and raised blood levels of cholesterol. Even smoking directly increases risk of developing an coronary occlusion. High blood pressure and certain chronic diseases will also increase the likelihood of developing coronary artery disease.
Here are some pictures of what happens in the coronary artery when an occlusion occurs:
Occlusions may occur due to a build up of plaque, rich in cholesterol. These however, can be further aggravated by the formation of a blood clot on the plaque, a coronary thrombosis. Occlusions can also, less commonly occur due to a temporary spasm in the muscles i the artery wall or from a result of inflammation in the coronary artery wall.
As the occlusion occurs the blood flow lessens and this can cause the heart to work harder. The death of muscular tissue can also occur. As the heart tries to work harder to speed up the supply of oxygen carried in the blood it becomes sufficient and the patient will experience angina.
There are risk factors for an occlusion which can include age. As people grow older they are more likely to develop this condition and in certain families there is an inherited increase risk of developing the condition at an earlier age. Another factor is diet in which overweight people who don't do regular exercise are more likely to develop this condition due to their eating habits. HDL (High density lipoprotein) is also associated with an increased risk and raised blood levels of cholesterol. Even smoking directly increases risk of developing an coronary occlusion. High blood pressure and certain chronic diseases will also increase the likelihood of developing coronary artery disease.
Here are some pictures of what happens in the coronary artery when an occlusion occurs: